NEWS ARCHIVE

Bomb threats made to local law enforcement agencies following Dallas attack

Law enforcement officers across the country, including Central Florida, are on high alert after the attack in Dallas. Officers have already come under fire in other parts of the country. Chris Hush looks at the work being done to prevent unrest in Central Florida.

Bomb threats made to local law enforcement agencies following Dallas attack

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings confirmed to WESH 2 News that bomb threats were made to both the Orange County Sheriff's Office and Winter Park Police Department following the ambush on police officers in Dallas.

It comes after Orlando Police Chief John Mina announced that a direct threat was made to his department Friday morning, a day after the Dallas shootings.

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“We do take extra precautions and there are measures in place to keep our officers safe,” Chief Mina said.

Demings told WESH 2 News an investigation is underway into the bomb threats.

“I’m not aware of any deputy sheriff that doesn't feel safe," Demings said.

At a news conference on Friday evening, several pastors and Demings made it clear that both Orlando police and the sheriff's office were working together to prevent civil unrest and to improve relationships with the community.

They specifically cited cases in which two black men were shot by police: Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Demings said his deputies weren’t sensing a hostile environment in the community. He added, “The goal is to keep it that way.”

With the community still mourning the massacre of 49 people at the Pulse nightclub, pastors want to send a message.

One pastor said, "Let us allow law enforcement to do their jobs and we as the people are going to do our jobs. Together, united we will stand Orlando Strong, and divided, you know that we will fall, so we prefer to unite.”